Taron Egerton faints during first performance of Cock as understudy Joel Harper-Jackson steps in
Taron Egerton is “fine” after fainting during the first preview performance of West End play Cock.
The new revival of Mike Bartlett’s show started performance on Saturday (5 March) at the Ambassadors Theatre.
Alongside Egerton, the cast features Jonathan Bailey, Jade Anouka and Phil Daniels.
Close to the end of the opening show, Egerton fainted and a doctor was called with the curtain brought down as he was treated.
Per audience reports, the play then restarted following a speech by director Marianne Elliott who reassured the audience that Egerton felt “fine” but his understudy Joel Harper-Jackson would step in to complete the performance.
A statement from the show reads: “During this evening’s first preview of Mike Bartlett’s play Cock at the Ambassadors Theatre, Taron Egerton fainted towards the end of the performance.
“A doctor who was in the audience attended to Taron immediately after the incident, and whilst he felt fine, it was decided that Taron’s understudy, Joel Harper-Jackson would continue in the role to complete the performance.”
On Instagram after the show, Egerton posted to his followers: “I am completely fine. Slightly sore neck and a bruised ego but I’m fine.
“I’ve decided to put a positive spin on it and would appreciate it if anyone who was in the theatre last night just said that I gave such a committed, electrifying performance that my body couldn’t handle it and checked out.
“That being said, apparently you’re meant to actually do the full show and not just three quarters of it. So I’ll be back with a vengeance tomorrow night.”
He added: “Thank you to the amazing team at the theatre and my wonderful cast mates for being so lovely.
“But mainly I wanted to say thanks to Joel Harper Jackson who stepped in to do the last bit of the play. Joel is an amazing actor and a lovely person. Thank you Joel.”
Cock, which first premiered in 2009 at London’s Royal Court Theatre, runs in the West End to 4 June 2022.
More on: Joel-Harper Jackson Musical Theatre News
